“The judge granted our appeal.” She clapped her hands and practically squealed.
“I’ll bet your uncle is furious.” A flash of worry crossed Edgar’s face. The waitress knocked on the door, and he jumped up to open it for her. Once she’d left, he added, “Will you go to Indianapolis to claim your inheritance, or is that something you can do from here?”
As the two men started talking about legal possibilities, Frances considered the implications. Now that the court had recognized their marriage, it must mean Luke’s authority to sign for Doris’s marriage to Marshall had been recognized. Did that mean the court had granted him guardianship of Frances? If that were the case, wouldn’t it strip Uncle William of any power over her? She still wanted to see the signature page of her father’s will.
“We’re trying to decide if we should simply let the courts handle the release of the funds,” Charles said. “Our Indianapolis attorney is working with my father’s accountant to see what our best options are.”
“Well, I don’t want someone else going through our things and deciding what to keep and what to sell,” Frances said.
“You can’t go back.” Edgar pinned her with a hard gaze that surprised her with its intensity. It almost seemed as though he were worried for her.
“We’re going to have to sell the house and the contents,” Frances said.
“No.” Maude glanced at Charles. “There are many items in our Indianapolis home which should not be sold. We have a few heirlooms but most only have a sentimental value. They belonged to our parents, and I am loath to give them up. Including furniture.”
Frances’s Steinway. If they had two grand pianos in Lilac City, they could put one in the community center as the dance hall was now being called, thanks to Judith. She’d been talking about starting classes in music. Though, perhaps Marshall would be willing to make a trade and have Luke’s Steinway and they could put the Circle B upright at the community center.
“What are you thinking about?” Edgar asked, pulling Frances from her thoughts.
“Pianos.” She explained.
“That’s a great idea,” Charles said, “but we can’t do anything until you girls are able to claim your inheritances. Granting Luke guardianship doesn’t give him access to your assets.”
“Have you considered the possibility,” Edgar asked, glancing at them with a wary expression, “that William Lancaster might have already pilfered the liquid assets from the estate? He’s obviously desperate.”
From her sister’s expression, Frances concluded Maude and Charleshaddiscussed it. Frances forced herself not to say what was on her mind, but she ground her teeth. Edgar’s eyes widened at the noise. Remembering Mr. Ito’s calming exercises, she took a few deep breaths before looking at the others. She didn’t want to upset Maude whose pregnancy had made her extremely emotional.
“Have you discussed this possibility with Luke and Doris?” Frances asked, saying the words softly.
Her sister and brother-in-law exchanged sheepish glances.
“You have.” Frances straightened. “But you never thought to mention it to me?”
“You tend to blow up,” Charles said, his expression unapologetic. “Since there’s nothing any of us could have done about it anyway, we decided to spare you the frustration.”
“Well,” Frances said rising, “I suppose I should get to school with the other kiddies. I wouldn’t want to trouble thegrown-ups.” She turned and headed to the door with as much dignity as her anger would permit.
“I told you we should have mentioned it,” Maude was saying as Frances closed the door.
Outside, the sun broke through the clouds and shone brightly on new snow. She had to close her eyes against the painful glare. Her head hurt as much as her pride did. How dare they treat her like a child? Her uncle thought to force Frances into a marriage, but they didn’t think she was old enough to be informed about possible embezzlement of her inheritance?
Things would be different if she were married. Then they’d treat her like an adult.
5
Nick stared out the train window, glad to see familiar landmarks. He’d never spent such an antsy ten days in his life. It’d been fun to spend time with his folks and his brothers and sisters, but the whole time he’d had an unshakable sense of dread.
Ever since Lowell had returned from his trip to New York, Nick had been watching how the man watched Frances. He had designs on her. Nick was willing to accept Mr. Breckinridge’s confidence in his cousin having changed. Lowell’s plans might not be nefarious anymore, but that didn’t mean his new ones weren’t more dangerous to Nick’s hopes.
It hadn’t helped that his parents had pressured him to remain in Texas. Pa had even offered to give land instead of cash as Nick’s inheritance. A year ago, he’d have taken it. Now, his future lay in Wyoming. With Frances.
As the train pulled into the Lilac City station, Nick buttoned his jacket and grabbed the knitted scarf Frances had given him. Not that she’d made it, though she’d given knitting a try. He chuckled to himself at the memory of her expression when she’d shown him her attempt. What a mess. It’d been adorable she’d even tried, though he was pretty sure it’d been because they’d overheard Tom McDaniel, the Lucky L Ranch foreman, confess to having knitted a blanket while being laid up with a broken leg.
When the steam cleared, he made out Frances waiting ... with Edgar Lowell hovering nearby. Drat the man. Had he spent the last ten days in her company? The niggle of worry which had been plaguing Nick the whole trip intensified.
As soon as he stepped into view, her face lit up with a huge smile. It made his pulse quicken. She launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck like she had the first time she’d seen her brother after nearly ten years.
“Oh, I’ve missed you,” she said, her breath warm on his neck.
